La Vida Local: Irregular Notes on West End Life – SNOW

Go into effect at 10 p.m. and continue until 6 a.m. In a severe storm, hours may be extended. Vehicles left on the street are towed to the city’s impound lot at 40 Commercial Street. The phone number there is 207-774-3025.

You can find out if a ban is in effect by calling 207-879-0300, looking at the Time and Temperature Building sign, or visiting the City’s web site at www.portlandmaine.gov, where you can sign up to be notified of bans.

During a ban, places to park in the West End are: the Beach Street lot off Commercial (after 8 p.m.), the city lot on Commercial Street across from the International Marine Terminal, the Western Prom from Bowdoin Street to West Street on the water side. The parking lots at the Reiche School and Community Center are not snow ban lots! The parking garage at Maine Med is available at reduced rates.

Sidewalks

Residential property owners have 24 hours after plowing has finished to clear abutting sidewalks – for properties at the end of a block, this includes breaking through the bank so people can cross the street. The sidewalk hotline for reporting un-shoveled areas is 207-874-8793.

Parking

If you have a vehicle and an off-street parking spot, please use it. This opens up parking for those who don’t have an off-street spot. When parking on the street, let any passengers out before you park so you can pull in as close to the curb as possible. This assures that streets are passable for emergency vehicles – your vehicle will be towed if you block the street.

Around the House

Keep your front entrance cleared so emergency personnel can reach you, if needed. You can get sand and salt mix at Deering Oaks in the parking lot behind the Castle. Sand barrels are located throughout the neighborhood on Danforth Street, at Congress/Bramhall intersection and the Reiche playground entrances on Brackett and Clark Streets.

Remove snow and ice from appliance vents and outdoor meters. Watch for icicles and sheets of snow or ice on the roof that may fall.

In the Neighborhood

Help keep Portland safe and walkable by shoveling out fire hydrants and bus stops. You can adopt a bus stop at www.adopt-astop.org.

Check on neighbors who may need assistance during and after a storm.
Safety First – If you’re out in the dark, wear light colors or something reflective so motorists can see you. You could also carry a flashlight or wave your cell phone. Investing in some “creepers” to put on your boots to improve traction can be very worthwhile.

Ike says, “Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!”

A dog owner suggests avoiding walking your K9 friend near Maine Medical Center. Lots of salt is spread there that sticks together, forming balls that adhere to the dog’s paws and make walking painful until you remove them.

Have Some Fun

Winter is a great time to meet your neighbors. There’s no better conversation starter than slogging around in the snow and slush together!